"AHH!" Kim clapped a hand over her mouth smothering her startled cry at the person that fell into the Goblin King's lap.
Seraph:
Seraph watched the newcomer with interest and respect *Oh, that just had to hurt, that she survived. Well, it might become a busy day after all*."If you please allow me" she said when she removed her gloves. She moved over to Deianeira and bowed over her, starting to hum softly and letting her hands go over Deianeira's broken body, a soft glow extended from here and slowly Deianeira's broken bones and torn flesh and muscles began to re-order and close again.
After ten minutes a heavily breathing and perspiring Seraph sat back and relaxed again, "That should do the trick, the only thing she now needs is rest and good care"
Kimberly:
"Wow" Kimberly was amazed at what these people could do. *I wonder if I could learn to do things like that* she thought to herself. *I hope that I remain here long enough to learn.*
Deianeira:
Deianeira groaned as she slowly opened her eyes. It hurt even to move an inch, but she had endured a thousand more worse pains . . . well, possibly not as bad as falling from the sky. All she needed to do now was get up.Lifting her head, her eyes adjusted to the lights. Recalling how she had fallen onto someone's lap, she became startled and stumbled onto the ground.
And there were two others now. Two females. "Where am I? Who are you people? Ow, my head . . . ." She rubbed her temples from the splitting headache, and tried to stand by could not. Is a goddess really suppose to feel pain? Oh wait, she was no longer a goddess, a mere mortal now that can't even stand on her own two feet.
Jareth:
Having sat dumbfounded for the duration of these strange circumstances, Jareth rose to help the newly fallen lady, as she seemed to be trying to get to her feet. An arm around her waist, he helped her to her up, easily supporting her weight. "You, dear lady, are in the Labyrinth of my kingdom, the Underground. I am Jareth. This," he gestured with his free arm to his lovely, though somewhat drained, considering her recent healing experience, daughter, "Is my daughter, Seraph. And this," he gestured to the other lady in their immediate presence, "is Kimberly; an unexpected guest, not unlike yourself. Take no alarm, madame. We none of us mean you any harm."
Deianeira:
Labyrinth? Underground? She had never heard of this place. "It is a pleasure to meet all of you. And you sir, your majesty, should I call you?" asked Deianeira. Landing on a King's lap is not something that happens everyday, thought Deianeira taking a glance at the handsome king that helped her to her feet. Her strength began to regain, and she was able to stand.
Jareth:
Beneath his calm demeanor, Jareth was furiously pondering. Two unexpected visitor falling from the sky within the space of hours? The odds of that happening were not bloody likely! Perhaps more damage had been done to the veil between the worlds than he had first imagined. He needed time to think upon this."Kimberly," he said, addressing the seventeen-year-old girl, "I'm afraid that I will need some time to study this book of yours to determine the situation with which we are dealing. I hope you will not mind staying with us awhile, until matters can be cleared?
"And you madame," he said, turning his attention to the lady he was helping to stand, "Who, might I ask, are you? And how have you arrived here?"
Deianeira:
"I'm Deianeira, goddess of retribution, war, combat, and among other things nature's beauty, and daughter to the King of the gods . . . although, I am no longer a goddess. I have been rendered mortal and literally thrown my kingdom in the skies to the this place you call the Underground. How it all happened, I'll tell you some other time."
Seraph:
*This is definitely the moment to get off now, just a bit too tired for a long story* Seraph thought *and a bath would be very welcome as well*."If you would all please excuse me, but I'd better ready myself to go Aboveground..."
She stood up from the bench, still a bit dizzy and after a moment of orientation she began walking towards the castle, but already turned around after a few steps, thinking the better of it instead of going alone.
"Kimberly, shall I show you your quarters right away, it will probably spare you some time and you could tell me what has changed the past few years Aboveground..."
Jareth:
His daughter and Kimberly having departed, Jareth turned to the fallen goddess. "It would probably be in your best interest to do as my daughter said and rest. I hope you don't at all mind staying with us for awhile? Come, I'll show you to a room." Beconing a brace of goblin maids, he sent one to run ahead of Seraph and Kimberly, and one ahead of himself and Deianeira to make ready their respective guest chambers. "I hope the East Wing is suitable to your tastes. The sun rises there most of the time."Upon reaching the appropriate door, Jareth pushed it open to reveal a very sumptuously decorated room, the goblin he had sent before just finishing turning down the comforter. "Should you need any assistance, please don't hesitate to ask. Now, take this." He conjured a crystal from the air, and deftly twirled it, endowing it with a spell, and handed it to Deianeira.
Once it settled into her palm, it turned into a chalice filled with a dark purple liquid that swirled of its own accord, and seemed to glow from its depths. "That will help you to sleep, and will ease your pain." he explained.
All of a sudden, Jareth heard an alarm sounding from out of the ether, as though muffled bells were distantly sounding. "If you'll excuse me," he said, quickly taking his leave, "I'm afraid I have some business to which I must attend."
Having closed the door behind him, Jareth disappeared from the castle, and reappeared elsewhere in his kingdom.
On to 'Restless Sleep'
On to 'Eyes in the Dark'
Back to the Castle
Back to the Library
